 |
| Davon Reed(Photo Credit: University of Miami) |
Canes Rising Contributor
There's nothing quite like the final two weeks of the college basketball season, especially if your team is on the bubble. One loss can take your team out of the running, while one win can propel your team into the bracket. Miami went into the Oakland Zoo, and emerged with something better than boiled peanuts, they emerged with an impressive 67-63 victory over the Pitt Panthers. This win keeps Miami's tournament hopes alive going into the season finale at Virginia Tech.
Quick Shots
Dirty Glass--Miami doesn't rebound, and the stats bear that out. The 'Canes are ranked 193rd in rebounding, and I'm shocked that Miami isn't in the mid 200s. Rebounding is mostly about size, and effort with some technique thrown in. Miami struggles with size, and effort is lacking at times. Outside of Tonye Jekiri, Miami doesn't have anyone who can consistently win on the glass. Pitt isn't a great team on the perimeter, but they owned the glass in the first half, and those extra opportunities led to points. Miami eventually closed the gap in the second half, but the point remains: The 'Canes need to limit teams on the glass if they don't want their bubble to pop.
Davon R333D--Here comes that man again! Davon was outstanding Wednesday night, scoring nineteen points, and connecting on all three of his attempts from beyond the arc. Reed had been mired in a mini-slump, with him being a non-factor against UNC and Louisville. That slump looks to be over as Davon was everywhere, slashing to the rim, catching lob passes, and getting steals. His best play came late in the second half as he drove the lane and found an open Sheldon McClellan in the corner, leading to an open shot. That made basket extended the 'Canes lead to four points, a lead Miami held for the rest of the evening.
One Man Show--Davon was entertaining, but Miami's inability to stop Michael Young wasn't. Young is a matchup nightmare due to his strength, and nice touch from the perimeter but the 'Canes should have been able to slow him down a little. Omar Sherman was useless as he hasn't learned how to use his body in the low post, and Ivan Cruz-Uceda lacks the athleticism to stay in front of Young. Miami will face other talented interior players in this crucial stretch, interior defense has to be a priority. Tonye Jekiri can't patrol the paint by himself, he needs help, and whether it comes from a schematic change, or players stepping up it doesn't matter.
Late Game Heroics--This season, the 'Canes have struggled late in close ballgames, due to the fact that Miami has been unable to score when it mattered most. Against Pitt, the 'Canes were able to go match baskets, due to outstanding late game execution. Jim Larranaga finally noticed the obvious and placed Sheldon McClellan in the low post, allowing McClellan to use his outstanding athleticism and strength to create opportunities. McClellan drove the lane and had great looks, he was also able to dish to open shooters on the perimeter. The 'Canes also did a great job of understanding game situations, and not fouling Pitt on their three point attempts. Miami closed out under control, and then boxed out the shooter, it was textbook late game defense. Outside of a botched inbound play, Miami held onto the lead in a very hostile environment with no problem.
Replacing Angel--With Angel Rodriguez injured, and likely out for the rest of the regular season, Miami is looking for someone to man the point. Jim Larranaga started Manu Lecomte against Pitt, and then turned to Ja'Quan Newton when Lecomte was ineffective. While neither player was outstanding, they both had moments of excellence and both kept the offense moving. The 'Canes looked to be organized offensively, a welcome change from the chaos that was the Miami offense over the last couple of weeks. Lecomte is a distributor who can punish teams on the perimeter, Newton is a slasher who uses his speed to get into the heart of the defense. Jim Larranaga has to find and play the hot hand, that's the best way to deal with this situation.
Posts
